We have a 1990 3300 with a front 460 Ford engine that needs overhaul. Would like suggestions on how to go about removal and replacement or suggestion of who might do this for me.
Thanks
Are you handy? What failed to get some idea .
There are excellent new and rebuilt "crate" engines available from many reliable sources these days. The price for a standard pump gas rated complete Ford 460 engine can be very close to what a full rebuild of the old block would cost. Unless you just really like doing rebuilds, it would be quicker and simpler to order a complete new assembly and swap them out. Sell the old block for a few bucks to the local scrap iron dealer.
Do a Google search for "Ford 460 crate engine" for many choices and a wide range of prices.
Lots of cheap, used Ford 460s in wrecking yards. Some yards will do the R&R. Crate engines will start at about $4500 plus installation. That's a pretty good percentage of what your coach is worth after the engine is installed. A good used engine will be a more economical choice if on a budget. A low mileage engine should be around $500. Lots of them in PUs.
Is your coach still able to drive?
Pierce
Actually I'm more interested in how to go about getting the engine out and back in. That is what I see as the most challenging part.
coach gets jacked up very high with appropriate equipment or safe ramps/pit, and I was told engine comes out the bottom.
reverse to get back in. but that was in reponse to my question when I blew up the 460 in my rear engine gasser.
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I realize this doesn't answer your questions about removal/installation, but I had the following experience with our 1997 class C 460 V8. If you have the V8, double check the exhaust manifolds and heads.
The exhaust manifold bolts stripped out of the heads and our RV dealer told us the heads are special to the RV industry application.
True? Not true? I don't know but the service manager said I was real lucky that I had traded it in before the manifolds fell off. Not true!! We didn't know about the threads stripping out of the heads! And the RV dealer had to search nationwide to find a set of the special heads for that V8.
dig a hole, push coach over hole and drop the engine, pull coach back to retrieve engine.
I actually have purchased a used engine, but have not figured out a good way to go about this project. I even took it to a truck repair shop to see what they had to say, and they would cut a big chunk of the floor out to get to it. May be best to just try to unload it for whatever it will bring. Thanks for the replies
That is how I pulled VW engines-- many many of them.
356 Porsche jacked up with engine dropped onto a big tire casing. Many times.
P
Find you a motorhead and bet him $100 and a case of beer that he can't swap that motor in two days. Set around on memorial day and drink part of his beer while he does additional tunning. ^.^d
I have changed quite a few engines in the front engine Foretravel motor homes. Jack up and block the frame. Drop the front axle and then drop the engine out. Foretravel used to pay 50 hours to replace the engine but I got it down to about 25 hours.
Thank you for all of the replies. I have considered dropping the front axle, but now I believe that's the only way to go. We shall see.